Reading's Hunt insists Long signing would be great for Celtic

The pair scored 34 Championship goals between them last season but were unable to guide the Royals into the Premier League as they fell short in the playoff final to Swansea City.

Hunt now feels that some of the key Reading players may be taken away from Madejski Stadium but has given a glowing recommendation to Long who is still being linked with Celtic, especially after Hoops boss Neil Lennon came to watch Monday's final at Wembley Stadium.

"I didn't know Neil Lennon was in the stands at Wembley," said Hunt, a former Dundee United star.

"I'm sure that there were a lot of people there watching our players.

"Do I fear this side might now be broken up? Of course.

"It's hard to keep a team together when there are so many good players in the squad.

"Teams will want our players and I'm sure we'll lose one or two.

"Shane's a great player. He's a tireless worker, an honest boy and is physically strong. He's very pacy and I fancy him as a player.

"He's one of the best I've played with, it's not easy to play up front and he's a great lad.